Owning a pet is a big responsibility. It’s putting a living creature’s life on your hands.
First, you must know if you have what it takes to be a fur parent and if you think you don’t, it’s time for you to learn.
Here are the things that you must know as a first-time fur parent:
- Dogs Need to Adjust
Don’t expect your dog to run around your home and have fun with you the moment they get in. If they start showing signs of anxiety or stress, it’s actually normal. They will need a little time to adjust to the new environment they’re in and get familiar with the people around them to finally feel comfortable.
All that you need to do is help them out. They’ll be afraid, and it’s natural. Make sure that you make them feel comfortable and safe in your home. Provide them with a space of their own where they have what they need, like a small dog house in the garden or even a dog room under the stairs big enough to make your fur baby feel secured.
Adjustment time will vary depending on the maturity of your new dog. They’ll only be needing just a couple of days or more to gain confidence in the new environment. On the other hand, mature dogs that you’ll bring home straight from the store or shelter will need more time to feel out their new home. You will have to earn their trust.
- Hygiene is Essential
Just like us humans, your dog also needs to be clean and hygienic. If not, it’ll be catching diseases in no time and this could affect its health, so visiting a vet or experts on dog’s hygiene is necessary.
As a first-time dog owner, you should not be too confident on your know-how. There’s a lot to learn about taking care of dogs. It is best to learn from the experts. For example, if you are grooming your dog, better consider bringing them regularly to your local dog groomers.
Taking your dog out to the garden for a hose bath is not enough. Professional dog groomers work on the ears, fur, nails and more with meticulousness using a variety of instruments you do not have available at your home.
- Behavior Problems are Likely to Happen
It is common for household dogs to have behavior problems. Aggression is one of the top problems dog owners deal with.
As a new dog owner, you should expect these problems to arise in the future and be ready to counterattack. It is possible to prevent having these problems in the future with the right approach to dog training and care.
Be a responsible dog owner and don’t spoil it too much. Just like little kids, if you want them to grow kind and obedient, you must introduce a good foundation.
During the early years of your dog’s life, you’ll have more control over their temperament. Take them outside with other pets and let them socialize. Keeping them at home every day is unhealthy and may affect your dog’s behavior negatively. Emotional health is very important.
- Nutrition is Important
You don’t just feed your dog anything that is available in your home. Leftover food from your table is not always the best choice for your dog’s healthy diet.
Do some research and get to know your dog’s wants. Buy only the best food from the supermarket. However, there may be times that your dog may not like the quality food that you’re feeding them. If that’s the case, simply switch to a new one until you find a good match. Once your dog settles for a brand, just keep it that way.
Be a responsible fur parent,
Treat your dog as a part of your family to keep it happy. Be a responsible fur parent and you’ll be improving the fun and engagement you get from your dog. If it is your first time as a dog owner, it’s best if you do some research and learn from other owners or experts online.